Psalm 51:1-10 (click to view Scripture below)
This Psalm echoes the deep repentance of a powerful leader who has been called out for his sinful ways. King David has heard the stinging rebuke of Nathan the prophet and expresses a deep and contrite spirit over the destructive actions in his life. This powerful king makes no excuses and realizes that the deep abiding transformation, available only from God, is his only hope to avoid further pain and misery.
Children in our ChildHope schools come from tough situations where they are constantly facing the things that accompany the poverty they live in. Violence, poor decisions that come from desperate living and the constant struggle for survival could easily allow us to view these children as innocent victims. However, the Gospel focuses on God’s abundant mercy and His power to cleanse from sin. Every one of us needs to face our sins, just like King David. To see a student in a ChildHope school ask God to forgive their sins, receive God’s mercy and see their life totally transformed, is to view David’s prayer in action.
Vice President, ChildHope
Prayer: Lord, we join King David today and pray with Him: Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit with me!
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Psalm 51:1-10 (ESV)
1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
See other devotionals in this series.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.